Motorists and pedestrians

Dharmendra Kumar, Suva

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is advising motorists not to park illegally at Damodar City, Laucala, because this could result in fines or penalties being imposed on them.

I believe this is a short-term solution. Realistically the hundreds of customers at Damodar City need taxi services, but unfortunately there is no sufficient taxi service provided within the premises hence customers stop taxis in a no parking area. Has LTA considered how the hundreds of passengers will get a taxi after shopping?

How will the elderly travel from Damodar City?

The problem at Damodar City is not taxi drivers, but rather it’s a badly-designed traffic area. The laws in Fiji seem to be only enforced on the motorists. If you park illegally you get a hefty fine, but it is okay for a pedestrian to jaywalk.

Pedestrians must also obey signals and use crosswalks at signalised intersections and the LTA and Police must also enforce these laws on pedestrians and not only motorists. If a pedestrian unexpectedly jaywalks and is hit by a vehicle you will be charged and sent to the remand centre, but nothing happens to the instigator of the incident.

At an intersection where the driver is proceeding in a straight line and a pedestrian walks in front of the vehicle, the driver needs to stop and remain stationary until the pedestrian has made it all the way to the other side of the street.

How come the Police and LTA don’t stop people who jaywalk?

All motorists infringe, but the law must apply equally to motorists and pedestrians for a safer road. A lot of education must be focused towards pedestrians and laws enforced upon them.

I don’t condone intentional traffic infringement, but the LTA and Police must take a holistic approach to rectify this problem Let’s be fair and enforce laws on both guilty parties.